Forest Certification in Developing and Transitioning ... - UTas ePrints

forest certification in south africa
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Assessors on surveillance visits have remarked on the improvement to systems that
support companies responding to the requirements of certification, with formalized
mechanisms to address issues raised during audits. This has resulted in improved
operational manuals and training for staff, especially with respect to social issues.
Social issues such as stakeholder consultation were seen in the past as nuisances, which
if ignored for long enough would disappear. More emphasis is being placed on these
issues, and mechanisms are being put in place to deal with them (Frost et al. 2003).
SGS, as the main certification body in South Africa, has recently started with FSC
certification training courses to help foresters in understanding the technical aspects
of certification. In the past, feedback meetings between foresters and assessors used
to be little more than the reading of Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and a confrontational
session where the different sides defended their positions. The SGS auditors
currently make more time for the feedback meetings and explanation of the reasons
for raising CARs. In such a process much more emphasis is placed on learning
(personal observation).
Stakeholder Consultation and Social Benefits
The process of consulting with a broader range of stakeholders stipulated under the
FSC process is relatively new. Most companies had forums established to discuss
issues with formal groups such as environmental NGOs, but no structures existed to
communicate with neighbouring communities. Problems included:
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incomplete identification of stakeholders;
inappropriate methods of engaging with stakeholders;
skewed/partial stakeholder responses;
weak feedback and communication beyond the formal process (Mayer et
al. 2001).
Compliance with social certification standards is still weaker than and not as well
understood as environmental compliance, but in general, foresters are becoming
more socially aware. The requirements under FSC have brought this issue higher up
on company agendas and more pro-active initiatives are underway (Frost et al. 2003).
The respondents from the 2004 survey were also in agreement that certification
has had direct benefits for the forestry labour force and forest dependent communities.
They felt that working conditions with regard to health and safety have improved
and the living conditions in forest villages are also better.
Incorporation of Outsourced Forestry Operations
The current trend for outsourcing forestry operations by forest-owning companies
has focused attention recently on the roles and responsibilities of the parties in relation
to certification. The issue of contractors complying with FSC criteria (especially
social criteria) has raised concerns. It was initially assumed that, as long as the forest
yale school of forestry & environmental studies